This is likely to be the lasting image of Kyle Williams' NFL career. However, the young receiver has a close knit group of teammates standing behind him.
Football makes us crazy. As fans, so many of us live and die with our teams’ successes and failures. It’s hard to explain to those who aren’t as fanatical about America’s pastime, but for guys like me, it’s a way of life. And in Sunday night’s NFC Championship, I felt a world wind of emotions as the 49ers gave away a trip to the Super Bowl.
But as easy as it is to blame Kyle Williams’ special teams blunders, what’s more embarrassing and appalling is how some fans reacted via Twitter afterwards. Look, I’m as crazy and insane about my teams as anyone, but who is sending death threats on a social media site to a kid who tried his best? Honestly, you have serious issues if you are doing that bullshit.
Fortunately for Williams, he has a tight knit squad that is standing behind him, and not just because it’s the politically correct thing to do. Credit Jed York, Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh for reestablishing a culture with the 49ers that is all team, all the time. Harbaugh often says, what’s best for the team is what’s best for the individual player.
The camaraderie that this Niners team developed this season is very much like the current Bulls team. The coach sets the tone, and the players buy in. There are numerous examples of teams in all major sports that pay lip service to unity and trusting and caring for one another. Look at this year’s New York Jets for example. They hadn’t even taken their uniforms off in week 17 before they were bitching, moaning & turning on each other. If there was ever a collection of individuals, it’s those ass-hats. But when Kyle Williams says he has the best teammates in the world, it’s easy to believe. These quotes are from CBS Sports…
“We all lost this game,” tight end Delanie Walker said. “We play as a team — it’s 45 of us out there. It’s not Kyle’s fault, so don’t go over there and act like it is. Cause it’s not.”
William’s fellow wide receivers were there for him as well…
“Go on now,” Tedd Ginn Jr. said. “It’s too much for him right now.”
“I’m talking for Kyle,” injured receiver Josh Morgan said. “You have any questions, ask me. He’s not talking today. I got it.”
Even guys from a defense that played their hearts out were there for their crushed teammate…
“He’s our teammate,” Ray McDonald said. “Mistakes happen, and he made one that came at the wrong time, but we’re behind him 100 percent. Don’t doubt that.”
“Kyle better not beat himself up over this,” safety Donte Whitner said. “He’s going to have the support of me especially. We had one great season, he better not forget that.”
A day later, unified Niners hadn’t changed their tune…
“Guys are friends, not just teammates,” guard Adam Snyder said. “And I don’t know if it’s like that everywhere. So this is a special place. There’s a special thing here that is going to keep guys here for a long time.”
Sadly, this is likely to be Kyle Williams’ sports legacy. Devastating losses like this one don’t go away. A year ago, I empathized with Bears fans who saw their dream season thwarted by Jay Cutler’s knee injury. It sucks, plain and simple. For me, I’m still not over the 1990 NFC Championship Game where the Niners lost to the Giants in eerily similar fashion to what transpired Sunday after Roger Craig’s fumble. As fans, this kind of heartbreak doesn’t away easily. And for Kyle Williams, he may never live down his mistakes in the biggest game of his life. But whenever he’s feeling as dejected as so many fans are today, at least he can relish the fact that “the best teammates in the world” have his back. That has to count for something, right?
@Louie_Ruffolo8
